Understanding Dementia

About the Seminar

Dementia is already touching many local families, and the numbers are rising. Join us for a free practical and helpful seminar on understanding dementia, spotting early signs, and supporting someone you love.

The seminar is presented byRhonda Preston-Jones,Dementia Works Educator, and hosted by Riverview – Maungaturoto’s haven for senior living.

Register

Please use the registration form below to let us know you will be coming. This is to ensure we have enough seating and food and drink for catering purposes. We request your contact email and phone number in case of any last-minute venue changes due to numbers attending etc. We look forward to seeing you!

How to get there

The seminar is being held at:
Maungaturoto Country Club
84 Bickerstaffe Road, Maungaturoto

From State Highway 1, take the Maungaturoto turnoff and follow signs into town — Bickerstaffe Road is on the edge of the township, just a few minutes from the main street. Parking is available on-site. Please arrive a little early to allow time for registration and refreshments.

Dementia is something many of us would rather not think about, yet it is already part of life for many whānau across New Zealand. Around 83,000 New Zealanders are living with dementia, and that number is expected to rise sharply as our population ages. Most of us know someone affected, whether it is a family member, neighbour, friend, or someone in our wider community.

For rural Northland communities, dementia brings particular challenges. Distance can make it harder to get an early diagnosis, attend appointments, or access specialist support. Public transport is limited in many places, and once driving becomes unsafe, staying connected can become much more difficult. Poor mobile coverage or unreliable internet can also make telehealth and online support less useful than they might be in larger centres.

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. It is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect memory, thinking, communication and daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type, but there are others, including vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Some people develop symptoms before the age of 65, known as younger-onset dementia.

The early signs can be subtle. A person may repeat questions, lose confidence with familiar tasks, become confused with time or place, withdraw from activities, or seem more anxious, frustrated or unlike themselves. These changes do not always mean dementia, but they are worth discussing with a GP. Early assessment can help people plan ahead, make practical adjustments, access support, and remain independent for longer.

In rural areas, planning often needs to include issues that city families may not face in the same way. On farms, lifestyle blocks and rural properties, questions about machinery, chainsaws, livestock, firearms, finances, succession planning and driving may need to be handled early and sensitively. Many Northlanders value independence, resilience and “just getting on with it”, but dementia is not something families should have to manage alone.

The language we use matters. People are not “demented” or “lost”; they are people living with dementia. They still have preferences, abilities, histories, humour and relationships. A kind word, a patient conversation, a clear sign, a familiar routine, or help with transport can make a real difference. Local clubs, churches, marae, shops, neighbours and community groups all have a role in helping people remain included.

Caring for someone with dementia can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting. Care partners in rural communities may have fewer respite options and fewer people nearby who understand what they are carrying. Checking in, offering a meal, mowing a lawn, taking someone to an appointment, or simply listening without judgement can ease the load.

Dementia can feel frightening, but knowledge reduces fear. By talking openly, recognising changes early, planning ahead and supporting one another, rural Northland communities can help people with dementia and their whānau live with dignity, safety and connection.